Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[ArenaNet ceases Guild Wars 1 live development, automates game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/arenanet-ceases-guild-wars-live-development-automates-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/arenanet-ceases-guild-wars-live-development-automates-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/arenanet-ceases-guild-wars-live-development-automates-game/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ArenaNet ceases Guild Wars live development, automates game
Guild Wars 1 has seen the end of an era of live development today, as ArenaNet stated that it is switching the game over to automation. The studio said that players should not expect any further content other than the systems being put into place to keep the game running on auto-pilot for the foreseeable future.

"Over time, our focus has shifted to updates that not only help maintain Guild Wars but help the game maintain itself," ArenaNet posted. "With this focus in mind, we'll no longer be releasing any new content for the live game except in support of automation. Our goal is to get the game to a place where it can continue to run and be available to all of our fans. We have a lot of love for Guild Wars -- it's the game that made us what we are today -- and we want to continue sharing it with everyone!"

Tournaments, events, and birthday prizes will be moved over to automation during this transition. The studio said that automating the game will keep it running longer and that it will keep a live team on Guild Wars to handle critical fixes and troubleshooting.

MassivelyArenaNet ceases Guild Wars 1 live development, automates game originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 May 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetautomatingautomationbirthday-prizesbreakingfantasyguild-warsgwlive-developmentlive-teammaintenance-modencsofttournamentsweekend-eventsFri, 17 May 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: The matter of alts in Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/flameseeker-chronicles-the-matter-of-alts-in-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/flameseeker-chronicles-the-matter-of-alts-in-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/flameseeker-chronicles-the-matter-of-alts-in-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles The matter of alts in Guild Wars 2
As is no secret, I'm something of an altoholic. This is the case in pretty much every game I play that allows for that sort of thing. If I can make multiple characters, I will.

While it's not solely responsible for the longevity of my involvement in MMOs, it sure doesn't hurt. I'm presently sitting at four max characters in Guild Wars 2. That'll turn into five fairly soon, and then I've got plans for another six or seven after that. (For those of you keeping score at home, that does involve having more than one max-level character of the same profession. It's a disease.)

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: The matter of alts in Guild Wars 2

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: The matter of alts in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altitisaltoholicaltoholismaltsanetarenanetbuy-to-playfantasyfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2ncsoftopinionwvwTue, 14 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stream Team: MLT edition, May 13 - 19, 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/the-stream-team-mlt-edition-may-13-19-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/the-stream-team-mlt-edition-may-13-19-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/the-stream-team-mlt-edition-may-13-19-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Stream Team May 13 19, 2013
Nothing beats an MLT, especially when the tomato is nice and ripe! Except maybe Massively TV. MMmm mmmm. Now there's something you can really sink your teeth into -- the wild and crazy antics of your favorite Stream Team hosts! And they've got a menu for all tastes this week, from space adventures to dragons to WWII planes. Of course, it all comes with a side of reruns and a dessert highlight to complete your meal.

So pull up a chair and grab yourself a helping or two... or 10. Hey, there's no limit here; enjoy as much as you like! While you're enjoying the spread, be sure to join in the after-dinner chat in Outtakes.

Continue reading The Stream Team: MLT edition, May 13 - 19, 2013

MassivelyThe Stream Team: MLT edition, May 13 - 19, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCsoft sales down from last quarter, up from last year
A recent earnings report suggests that NCsoft's sales have slipped from Q4 2012 to Q1 2013, although the studio is quick to point out that the showing was "solid" particularly when compared to sales from a year ago. While sales were down 35% and net income was down 49% from the last quarter, sales were up 31% and net income was up 322% year-over-year.

Guild Wars 2 accounted for 21% of sales in the first quarter, in addition to Blade and Soul's 9%, Aion's 16%, and the usual Lineage cavalcade (Lineage 1 represented 38% of sales alone with its subscriptions).

While 64% of NCsoft's sales were in Korea, only 13% were in North America and 8% in Europe. The decrease in NA and EU contributions was due to "the reduction in Guild Wars 2 package sales," according to the report. All of NCsoft's subsidiaries posted drops in sales from last quarter except for NC Taiwan.

[Update: Also of note in the earnings call is the news that NCsoft's Nah Seong Chan says the company is "preparing an expansion pack" but has yet to decide when it might launch. Very interesting news indeed as ArenaNet said as recently as March that it was not working on an expansion. Thanks to Mike and Robert for the tips!]

MassivelyNCsoft sales down from last quarter, up from last year originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1q-2013aionanetarenanetascensionblade-and-soulbuy-to-playclassic-mmoearnings-reportf2pfantasyfree-to-playguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw2l1lineagelineage-1lineage-2lineage-iimartial-artsmartial-arts-mmoncsoftncsoft-koreaq1-2013truly-freeSun, 12 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Thoughts about Guild Wars 2's living story]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/flameseeker-chronicles-thoughts-about-guild-wars-2s-living-sto/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/flameseeker-chronicles-thoughts-about-guild-wars-2s-living-sto/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/flameseeker-chronicles-thoughts-about-guild-wars-2s-living-sto/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

subtitle LIS HAS OPINIONS
With Guild Wars 2's first multi-month living story arc drawing to a close, I thought this might be a good time to do a little bit of reflection on how the living story is treating Guild Wars 2 so far. Sure, what we've seen so far isn't necessarily indicative of the way things are always going to be, but it's a good starting point. (In fact, it's our only starting point. Unless, of course, you like rampant and foundless speculation as a starting point. This is, after all, the internet.)

To expand the conversation a bit, I think we're including holiday updates as part of the living story. It's seasonal, but it also fits into the grander scheme of providing changing content to keep the world moving and to keep players engaged. That means that what we've seen to date includes all of Flame and Frost, Wintersday, Halloween, and the Lost Shores event. Also, I guess the Super Adventure Box? I mean, it's returning and it had a lore tie-in and stuff. Maybe? I'm not sold.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Thoughts about Guild Wars 2's living story

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Thoughts about Guild Wars 2's living story originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playfantasyfeaturedflame-and-frostflame-and-frost-preludeflame-and-frost-razingflame-and-frost-retributionflame-and-frost-the-gathering-stormflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2halloweenliving-storylost-shoresncsoftopinionpontificationshadow-of-the-mad-kingthe-lost-shoreswintersdayTue, 07 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stream Team: Seis de Mayo edition, May 6 - 12, 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/the-stream-team-seis-de-mayo-edition-may-6-12-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/the-stream-team-seis-de-mayo-edition-may-6-12-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/the-stream-team-seis-de-mayo-edition-may-6-12-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Stream Team Seis de Mayo edition, May 6 12, 2013
You have to agree, May is one month that's full of holidays. The first week alone contains May Day, (unofficial) Star Wars Day, and Cinco de Mayo. But the party doesn't stop there! Following quickly on the heels of these is perhaps one you are less familiar with: Seis de Mayo.

Not unlike its cousin the day before, Seis de Mayo is a day of celebration; however, this celebration centers on freedom from boredom via visual entertainment. No, really! And to commemorate the day, we're releasing an all-new Massively TV schedule, giving you the means to celebrate the whole week through with The Stream Team. If you can't celebrate live, just tune into a rerun and party whenever.

Well, even if you don't believe us, you can still commemorate the occasion with us. Just check out the past the cut for a heaping helping of daily festivities.

Continue reading The Stream Team: Seis de Mayo edition, May 6 - 12, 2013

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Seis de Mayo edition, May 6 - 12, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flameseeker Chronicles It's time for some retribution
Another patch day is upon us. Among other things, Guild Wars 2's Flame and Frost: Retribution is bringing in a new living story dungeon and some much-needed structured PvP improvements. Over the weekend, members of the press were invited to preview some of the incoming content. I'd like to talk about it with you, so be warned that there are spoilers for the living story dungeon ahead.

Something that I found particularly interesting about all of this is that the Molten Weapons Facilities dungeon is going to be available for less than two weeks. The dungeon is due to exit on May 12th. I had expected it to be time-limited, of course, but I think I was expecting a little more time than that. Anyway, let's dive right into it.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: It's time for some retribution in Guild Wars 2

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: It's time for some retribution in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playcustom-arenasdungeonfantasyfeaturedflame-and-frostflame-and-frost-retributionflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2hands-onliving-storyncsoftopinionpatchpatchespreviewpreviewsretributionspectator-modespvptrailertrailersvideovideosTue, 30 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stream Team: Fuzzy slippers edition, April 29 - May 5, 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/the-stream-team-fuzzy-slippers-edition-april-29-may-5-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/the-stream-team-fuzzy-slippers-edition-april-29-may-5-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/the-stream-team-fuzzy-slippers-edition-april-29-may-5-2013/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Stream Team Fuzzy slippers edition, April 29 May 5, 2013
Comfort food is a pretty universally understood concept. And most folks can also easily envision the security of a blanket a la Linus in the Peanuts cartoons. But what do gamers turn to for stability and comfort during stressful times? I mean, we all know that sometimes games get pretty intense. If you don't believe me, just watch Massively TV! Death and glory, victory and defeat: The Stream Team experiences it all.

Some folks have specific food or drinks on hand for their gaming sessions. I know one gamer with a bobble-head. Me? I've got my fuzzy slippers! Yes, really. When I wear them, glorious victories are all the sweeter and harrowing defeats lose their sting. And I swear they bring me luck. Gaming is just better in fuzzy slippers. If you haven't tried it, I totally encourage you to. Uncertain? Try it, you might like it! Grab a pair and give them a test run while watching this week's shows. Or if you have your own can't-do-without gaming accessory, let us know what it is in the Outtakes.

Continue reading The Stream Team: Fuzzy slippers edition, April 29 - May 5, 2013

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Fuzzy slippers edition, April 29 - May 5, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Guild Wars
Today is Guild Wars' eighth anniversary. Depending on which tradition you follow, I should be getting the game either bronze, salt, linens, or lace as a gift. Since I don't happen to have any of those handy, I'd like to reflect upon the rich life that Guild Wars has led so far. The game didn't start out with all of the neato features that it has now, so I'd like to look a bit at its evolution over time. I can't hit every update ever, but I thought we'd take a stroll down memory lane and look at some of the key moments in the game's life.

Continue reading Celebrating Guild Wars' 8th anniversary

MassivelyCelebrating Guild Wars' 8th anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's time for some retribution.
It is time to start talking about Guild Wars 2's April update for reals. I've got some serious knowledge to drop on you regarding the Flame and Frost: Retribution update, so let's get right to it.

Retribution will be the final installment of the Flame and Frost living story arc. To tie everything off, we're getting a new story dungeon that'll take us deep underground into the Molten Weapon Facilities. Structured PvP is getting some love in the form of custom PvP arenas and spectator mode. Guilds are getting more missions and new rewards. The gem store will be getting new stuff.

Let's dive in and look at some specifics, shall we?

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: April's Guild Wars 2 patch brings custom arenas, spectator mode, and a living story dungeon

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: April's Guild Wars 2 patch brings custom arenas, spectator mode, and a living story dungeon originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetapril-patcharenanetbrahambuy-to-playcustom-arenasfantasyfeaturedflame-and-frostflame-and-frost-retributionflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2living-storyncsoftopinionpatchpreviewpreviewspvpretributionroxspectator-modespvpupdateTue, 23 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stream Team: Spring has sprung edition, April 22 - 28, 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/the-stream-team-spring-has-sprung-edition-april-22-28-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/the-stream-team-spring-has-sprung-edition-april-22-28-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/22/the-stream-team-spring-has-sprung-edition-april-22-28-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The Stream Team Spring has sprung edition, April 22 28, 2013
If you live in the Northeast, chances are you ignore both the calendar and the furry little four-footed weatherman when it comes to anticipating the arrival of spring. In fact, you just don't believe it until you see it! Plenty of kids in that region are pros at gathering Easter eggs in a snowsuit. Although some might argue that the four seasons are actually Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Road Construction, I contend that they can experience an actual spring. And after a week of sunshine and non-frosty temperatures, I say it's finally made an appearance!

Doh! I spoke to soon: It's back to the 20s. Tricksy weather, you almost fooled me. Oh well, I guess I can dive back under some blankets and watch more Massively TV instead of venturing into that thing called "outdoors." You, too, can take refuge from the never-ending winter by watching The Stream Team visit virtual lands of sun, warmth, even lava. Whom am I kidding? They will probably taunt us in another world of snow!

Continue reading The Stream Team: Spring has sprung edition, April 22 - 28, 2013

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Spring has sprung edition, April 22 - 28, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flameseeker Chronicles Simple pleasures in Guild Wars 2
Right after finally crafting The Flameseeker Prophecies, I took my in-game efforts down a couple of notches. As a result, I've had a few fairly quiet weeks in Guild Wars 2. It's not for lack of things to do or of goals; I've still got plans for oodles of armor sets, a few of the pseudo-legendary weapons, a double-handful of additional level 80 characters, and some titles. I've just been taking a more laid-back approach to achieving those goals. For the last month or so before getting my shield I was running two to three dungeons a day along with other things like camping meta events and going into Orr for T6 mats, which is by no means hardcore but has made for a very pleasant experience switching into a lower gear. I've been taking time to enjoy the simpler pleasures of Guild Wars 2.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Simple pleasures in Guild Wars 2

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Simple pleasures in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playendless-mystery-cat-tonicfantasyfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2jumping-puzzlesKITTIESkitties-in-wvwkitties-on-demandncsoftopinionpvpquagganquaggan-tonicquaggansspvpworld-vs-worldwvwTue, 16 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars announces 8th anniversary event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/guild-wars-announces-8th-anniversary-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/guild-wars-announces-8th-anniversary-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/guild-wars-announces-8th-anniversary-event/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Guild Wars announces 8th anniversary event
The eighth anniversary of the launch of Guild Wars is coming at the end of this month, and ArenaNet has announced the planned celebrations to run from April 22 through April 29.

Those fans who have been with the game for several years might recognize the familiar Shing Jea Boardwalk and Roller Beetle racing festivities, but don't forget to test out your dodgeball skills in the Dragon Arena and talk to Ceira over at Embark Beach for some goodies.

Those characters celebrating eight or more years in the game will be honored with a special in-game gift card that allows them to grab their choice of birthday gift boxes from years past.

Of course there's much more to the event than this, and you can read all about it at the official announcement page and look for our own anniversary article celebrating 8 years of Guild Wars coming soon.

MassivelyGuild Wars announces 8th anniversary event originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetanniversaryarenanetbirthdayeightfantasyguild-warsgwncsoftroller-beetle-racingshing-jea-boardwalkMon, 15 Apr 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stream Team: Stepping on tax edition, April 15 - 21, 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/the-stream-team-stepping-on-tax-edition-april-15-21-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/the-stream-team-stepping-on-tax-edition-april-15-21-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/the-stream-team-stepping-on-tax-edition-april-15-21-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Stream Team Stepping on tax edition, April 15 21, 2013
'Tis the season! Just... not that season. This isn't one we really want; it's not a season of joyousness and brotherly kindness. No, this one's more akin to scattering LEGOs and thumbtacks all across the floor then dashing barefoot from wall to wall just to hit your head against them over and over. We understand the pain. Truly, we do. And The Stream Team is here for you.

They say nothing's certain in life except death and taxes, but we disagree! We'd totally add Massively TV to that list. Have we ever left you in your times of need? No! And we know you need us now more than ever. We're here to help you, with a full line-up of shows to help ease the pain and take your mind off the traumas that cannot be avoided. So take a load off and check out this week's schedule, catch a few reruns, see the highlight of the week, and take part in our two polls. Then remember, at least this only happens once a year!

Continue reading The Stream Team: Stepping on tax edition, April 15 - 21, 2013

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Stepping on tax edition, April 15 - 21, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jukebox Heroes Guild Wars Factions' soundtrack
East Asian-themed music in MMOs is something that I generally welcome. Even if the title isn't an Asian MMO, chances are that sooner or later developers like to work an Eastern zone, class, or city into the game -- and with that comes a specific sound. I'm by no means educated on what instruments are used in these tunes, but the result is so distinctive that you can't help but think of the region.

Guild Wars: Factions definitely drew upon the Orient for its theme, and composer Jeremy Soule returned to create a score that would paint a picture of Cantha. Unfortunately, I don't think he was up to the task. While technically sufficient, Factions' score is definitely lacking in the grandeur of Prophecies and the basic catchiness necessary to elevate a soundtrack out of the crowd. The best I can say is that none of the tracks is horrible to hear, but the album as a whole is actually a bit bland and forgettable.

I'm by no means besmirching Soule here. His previous and subsequent Guild Wars projects are heads and shoulders above this one, and everyone has an off day. Perhaps Asian music just wasn't his forte. In any case, I sifted vigorously to discover six tracks that best represent Cantha and its people.

Continue reading Jukebox Heroes: Guild Wars Factions' soundtrack

MassivelyJukebox Heroes: Guild Wars Factions' soundtrack originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcomposercomposersfactionsfantasyfeaturedgame-musicguild-warsguild-wars-factionsgwjeremy-soulejukeboxjukebox-heroesjustin-olivettimmo-jukeboxmmo-musicmusicncsoftopinionsoundtracksoundtracksTue, 09 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Returning to a simpler time in Guild Wars]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/flameseeker-chronicles-returning-to-a-simpler-time-in-guild-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/flameseeker-chronicles-returning-to-a-simpler-time-in-guild-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/09/flameseeker-chronicles-returning-to-a-simpler-time-in-guild-war/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles Returning to a simpler time
Some days, saving the world from Elder Dragons just feels like such a drag. Every time you put a dragon lieutenant down, you know that another one is, even then, being knit together from crystals or rotting corpses and it won't be all that long before it's time to save the world again.

That sort of knowledge can really take a toll on a girl.

Making full use of the magic of technology, I've started escaping the pressure of dragonfighting by going back into Guild Wars. Because it's the game that most directly relates to the state of affairs in Guild Wars 2, I've been playing the original Prophecies campaign. I've also been streaming the experience for the uninitiated, so if you'd like to catch up and live the adventure vicariously through me, you can check out the first bits on Massively's Twitch channel. If you'd like to quickly familiarize yourself with where Prophecies sits in the grand scheme of things, I recommend acquainting yourself with our brief history of Tyria.

It's been a neat experience so far. I'd like to talk about it with you.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Returning to a simpler time in Guild Wars

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Returning to a simpler time in Guild Wars originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Stream Team Bleepity bleep edition, April 8 14, 2013

It's definitely not a new thing. Throughout the ages, when intense frustration strikes, a colorful epithet can slip past the lips of even the most soft-spoken. Heck, at particularly annoying times, a full string of them has been known fly forth from the most unexpected sources. And we all know that there are plenty of frustration-inducing situations in gaming. So it's not hard to equate swearing with gaming, right?

Of course, we at Massively TV advocate a responsible use of language during our adventures. While there could be a time or a place for the universally known curses, we prefer bursts of creative language skills. And if there's one thing The Stream Team has, it's an abundance of creativity! We've learned it is possible to express frustration while avoiding the censors because censors are mean and carry big, painful sticks! Ouch.

Need proof? Pop into any of the shows scheduled this week or the reruns from last; watch how deftly (or not) our intrepid streamers react to curse-creating incidents. Hope as they might, nothing can go smoothly all the time... or for the very unlucky, at all! A perfect demonstration of this is highlighted in our newest section, a place devoted to showcasing a stream of the week. Catch MJ's colorful repurposing of the English language first-hand in Highlight Reels, then offer your most creative expression in the Outtakes.

Continue reading The Stream Team: Bleepity bleep edition, April 8 - 14, 2013

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Bleepity bleep edition, April 8 - 14, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One Shots Great balls o' fire!
It's a little amazing, when you think about it, that all of these magic-users who prance around in extremely flammable robes don't suffer from third-degree burns more than we see. Or maybe the game is hiding the awful, scarred truth from us. In any case, our opening screenshot this week should have resulted in a quick trip to the ER for both parties.

"This is a simple yet fun battle in Vindictus' early levels," reader Carolina says. "I love the detail of the damaged shoe on my spellcaster character."

Forget the human element; now the shoes are the ones suffering for our casual disregard of fiery magic! If you can get past the misery of the moment, we've got plenty of other great one shots this week for you to admire.

Continue reading One Shots: Paging the burn ward

MassivelyOne Shots: Paging the burn ward originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acac2action-mmoanetarenanetasherons-callasherons-call-2bring-back-one-shotsclassic-mmof2pfantasyfree-to-playgalleriesgalleryguild-warsgwncsoftnexonnexon-americanexon-entertainmentone-shotspics-or-it-didnt-happenreader-screenshotsreader-submissionssandboxscreenshotscreenshotstabula-rasaturbineturbine-entertainmentuser-submissionsvindictusSun, 07 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: NPCs and culling and beedogs, oh my]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/flameseeker-chronicles-npcs-and-culling-and-beedogs-oh-my/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/flameseeker-chronicles-npcs-and-culling-and-beedogs-oh-my/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/02/flameseeker-chronicles-npcs-and-culling-and-beedogs-oh-my/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles I'm terrified of Rox, and other current events
It's good to have memorable characters. It's important, in a game, to have the sort of characters that players can look back on a month or a year or a lifetime later and think, "Yeah, I remember that NPC." In that sense, I guess ArenaNet has succeeded admirably in the case of Rox the Charr Ranger. I'll remember her until my dying day.

... Mostly because she absolutely petrifies me.

Have you seen this lady's eyes? They were clearly made for soul-eating. They're half the size of her face (maybe this is why the baby devourer thinks she's its mommy?), far more cartoony than pretty much anything else in the game, and more saccharine than the fluffy pink quaggan backpacks with bows and hearts. I don't know whether it makes it better or worse that she's got a fairly normal Charr lady voice.

Rox was introduced to us, of course, in the Flame and Frost: The Razing patch that came out at the end of March. Let's see what's been going down in the world of Guild Wars 2 since then.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: NPCs and culling and beedogs, oh my

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: NPCs and culling and beedogs, oh my originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetapril-foolsarenanetbrahambuy-to-playcullingfantasyfeaturedflame-and-frostflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2ncsoftopinionroxsuper-adventure-boxthe-razingwvwTue, 02 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stream Team: Fools vs. floppy ears edition, April 1 - 7, 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/the-stream-team-fools-vs-floppy-ears-edition-april-1-7-201/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/the-stream-team-fools-vs-floppy-ears-edition-april-1-7-201/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/the-stream-team-fools-vs-floppy-ears-edition-april-1-7-201/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Stream Team Fools vs floppy ears edition, April 1 7, 2013
Though infrequent, it does happen: Once in a while two holidays go toe to toe on the calendar. This year, it just so happens that April Fools' Day rides in on the tail of the Easter Bunny. So what do you do when these very different holidays bump up against each other? You do what any self-respecting Stream Team fan does: You watch more Massively TV! Of course, that's pretty much the answer to everything, isn't it?

Some day these two holidays might actually overlap. If that were the case, who do you think would come out on top in a brawl over celebration rights -- that floppy-eared frolicking rabbit known for leaving chocolate or the fool (with or without a bell-tipped hat) who delights in pranking and tricking? After watching Rise of the Guardians, I think my money is on the bunny. Worst case scenario is they team up together and we end up with trick chocolate.

While contemplating this match-up, join us for a week of intense livestreams with your favorite hosts, playing such classics as Fruit Ninja and Fruity Loops Studio.

Continue reading The Stream Team: Fools vs. floppy ears edition, April 1 - 7, 2013

MassivelyThe Stream Team: Fools vs. floppy ears edition, April 1 - 7, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flameseeker Chronicles Guild Wars 2's March update
It's patch day! Today marks the arrival of the long-awaited World vs. World patch for Guild Wars 2. There are, of course, many other things being bundled into this month's big update, but WvW might be stealing the show a bit.

Of course, WvW updates probably mean hideously long waiting times as folks hop in to check out the new shinies, so how about you go ahead and queue up for whichever Battleground you prefer, and we'll talk about the details of this patch while you wait.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars 2's March update

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars 2's March update originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbountybuy-to-playcullingfantasyfeaturedflame-and-frostflame-and-frost-the-razingflameseeker-chroniclesguildguild-missionsguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2march-patchncsoftopinionpatchthe-razingupdateupdatesworld-rankworld-vs-worldworld-xpwvwwxpTue, 26 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Stream Team: GDC edition, March 25 - 31, 2013]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/the-stream-team-gdc-edition-march-25-31-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/the-stream-team-gdc-edition-march-25-31-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/the-stream-team-gdc-edition-march-25-31-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Stream Team GDC edition, March 25 31, 2013
This week a sizable chunk of the gaming industry descends on downtown San Francisco for the annual Game Developers Convention. And yes, Massively will be there cornering every dev that gets in our sights, convincing them all to answer as many of our burning questions as possible before someone finds and rescues them!

I was even thinking how neat it would be to add these little tête-à-têtes to the Massively TV line up. Alas, I was thwarted; something about "evidence." Ah well, there are still plenty of live shows scheduled and a plethora of reruns to fill out your week while waiting on the GDC news.

If you have any burning questions about your favorite games, add them to the comments below and we'll see how many we can get answers for. And don't miss our two bonus polls at the end.

Continue reading The Stream Team: GDC edition, March 25 - 31, 2013

MassivelyThe Stream Team: GDC edition, March 25 - 31, 2013 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Game Archaeologist When sequels attack!
Sequels are both the bane of and a fact of life for movies and video games. Well, "bane" is a strong word, and you're probably thinking of Batman right now anyway, but personally, I'm always willing to give the benefit of doubt to any continuation of a favorite franchise. While we don't see sequels pop up as often in MMOs, they do exist and have significant effects upon the original title that bears the same name.

It's here that MMOs diverge from movies and other video games. With those, the original is not in any sort of danger, other than the perception of having its legacy dragged down into the muck (Caddyshack II, anyone?) and perhaps overstaying its welcome. An MMO sequel, on the other hand, can cause serious consequences to its ancestor.

Here at Game Archaeologist, we look at classic games that have often seen their time come and go. But what happens to one of these titles when a sequel attacks? Almost anything, it turns out.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist: When sequels attack!

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist: When sequels attack! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flameseeker Chronicles The Flameseeker Prophecies
It's been quite the red-letter week in Guild Wars 2 for yours truly. My little guild piled up enough influence to unlock and build guild bounties, some of my best buddies bought me my first Commandership (which we promptly put to use in PvE shenanigans), and I completed my legendary shield, The Flameseeker Prophecies.

Quite some time ago, we went through the piece-by-piece requirements for crafting your legendary weapon. The experience of making it is actually less daunting than the crazy list of materials makes it sound, but I'm probably only saying that because it's finished now, and I don't have to work up the mental energy to think about making another one for quite some time. Let's take a look at things, shall we?

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: The quest for Guild Wars 2's legendary The Flameseeker Prophecies

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: The quest for Guild Wars 2's legendary The Flameseeker Prophecies originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playfantasyfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesflameseeker-propheciesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2legendarylegendary-weaponncsoftopinionthe-flameseeker-propheciesTue, 19 Mar 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: The eye of the storm in Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/flameseeker-chronicles-the-eye-of-the-storm-in-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/flameseeker-chronicles-the-eye-of-the-storm-in-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/flameseeker-chronicles-the-eye-of-the-storm-in-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles The eye of the storm
You might remember that Guild Wars 2 got a fairly sizable update not too long ago. You might also remember that we didn't really touch on that update last week. I tend to think that such content needs some time to simmer before we can really dig into it here. The time has come, my friends! The storm has been well and truly gathered, so I believe it's time to take a look at some of what came into the game at the end of February.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: The eye of the storm in Guild Wars 2

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: The eye of the storm in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playfantasyfeaturedflame-and-frostflameseeker-chroniclesguild-bountyguild-missionsguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2meta-eventncsoftopinionrewardthe-gathering-stormthe-razingTue, 12 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Puzzle jumping in Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/flameseeker-chronicles-puzzle-jumping-in-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/flameseeker-chronicles-puzzle-jumping-in-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/flameseeker-chronicles-puzzle-jumping-in-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles Puzzle jumping
I've been meaning to talk about jumping puzzles for a while. I haven't made it through quite all of the ones in Guild Wars 2 yet, but I'm getting closer to that point all the time. The problem is that I never want to just sit down and hammer out three or four in a session because I feel that'd take away from some of the fun of it, so I get to one every little while, and I treasure it, and that's actually pretty OK by me.

In my opinion, jumping puzzles are some of the most well-polished content in the game, as well as some of the most exciting. The designers seem to have been able to really do whatever they could imagine in them, and that pays off in really incredible encounters, gorgeous sights, and super fun challenges. Since I haven't been through all of them yet, I can't really put out a decisive top picks list, but I'd like to talk about some of my favorites.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Puzzle jumping in Guild Wars 2

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Puzzle jumping in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flameseeker Chronicles The Gathering Storm preview
I know that nothing (nothing in the whole world, in the history of ever) sucks like waiting for the patch on patch day. There's the promise of wonderful things in the future, but they're just so tantalizingly out of reach.

So what better way to pass the time waiting for Guild Wars 2's February patch than by talking about it? I got a bit of a sneak preview at the incoming content over the weekend, so let's take a look at the nitty-gritty of what awaits us in the The Gathering Storm.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: The Gathering Storm preview

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: The Gathering Storm preview originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playfantasyfeaturedflame-and-frostflameseeker-chroniclesguildguild-bountyguild-challengeguild-missionsguild-puzzleguild-rushguild-trekguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2hands-onncsoftopinionpatchpatchespreviewpreviewspvespirit-watchspvpthe-gathering-stormTue, 26 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jukebox Heroes: A few of my favorite MMO soundtracks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/jukebox-heroes-a-few-of-my-favorite-mmo-soundtracks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/jukebox-heroes-a-few-of-my-favorite-mmo-soundtracks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/jukebox-heroes-a-few-of-my-favorite-mmo-soundtracks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Jukebox Heroes A few of my favorite soundtracks
I could hear some of you thinking in disbelief last week, "If Age of Conan isn't one of your top MMO scores, what is? And just how much am I not sending you a Christmas card this year, you loser?" You were kind enough to just think it and not say it, but I could hear it even so.

As we've mentioned countless times in this column, musical tastes are subjective. What's appealing to you may not be for me and vice-versa. What more is that musical tastes -- and favorites -- are always shifting around. I listen back to the jams that I enjoyed in the '90s and absolutely pity my younger self for such a deficiency in his musical diet.

So I thought that I'd take a week off our normal soundtrack reviews to bring to you my current top six favorite soundtracks. This list comes with the caveat that it's always subject to future changes as I continue to listen through more soundtracks for this column.

Continue reading Jukebox Heroes: A few of my favorite MMO soundtracks

MassivelyJukebox Heroes: A few of my favorite MMO soundtracks originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flameseeker Chronicles The storm clouds are gathering
I really wanted to talk with you about jumping puzzles this week, but jumping puzzles last forever and there's been some super cool stuff coming out about Guild Wars 2's February patch. We can talk jumping puzzles some other time, and I dearly hope we will, but for now there's an oncoming storm and new PvP stuff and guild missions and it's all just so very exciting. Let's get to it, shall we?

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: The storm clouds are gathering in Guild Wars 2

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: The storm clouds are gathering in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playfantasyfeaturedflame-and-frostflame-and-frost-the-gathering-stormflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2ncsoftopinionthe-gathering-stormthe-storm-clouds-are-gatheringyou-get-bonus-points-if-you-like-sports-nightTue, 19 Feb 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars features I wish had made it to Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/flameseeker-chronicles-guild-wars-features-i-wish-had-made-it-t/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/flameseeker-chronicles-guild-wars-features-i-wish-had-made-it-t/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/12/flameseeker-chronicles-guild-wars-features-i-wish-had-made-it-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles Guild Wars features I wish had made it to Guild Wars 2
You may have noticed, but Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 are different games. I thought we'd clear that up to begin with. In fact, they're such different games that there are oodles of people who are fans of one but not the other (typically, most of these folks seem to be in favor of Guild Wars 2, but I know a fair few staunch supporters of the original). I happen to be a fan of both games, although I definitely find it a little disconcerting to switch between the two games. Most of that is because of things that the sequel does better, like casting on the move, a player auction house, and (in my opinion) the downed state. Some of it's because of things that aren't so much about quality as style, like the existence (or lack thereof) of Monks and heavy instancing. And then there are things that I really loved in the original that aren't around anymore.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars features I wish had made it to Guild Wars 2

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars features I wish had made it to Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playemotesfantasyfeaturedfeaturesflameseeker-chroniclesgame-mechanicsguild-warsguild-wars-2gvggwgw1gw2jumpingncsoftopinionTue, 12 Feb 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Flame and Frost]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/flameseeker-chronicles-flame-and-frost/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/flameseeker-chronicles-flame-and-frost/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/05/flameseeker-chronicles-flame-and-frost/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles Flame and Frost
Well, my goodness! We've got a week of the Flame and Frost prelude patch behind us, and what a week it's been! The patch notes for this sucker were impressive; for a relatively minor patch, the Flame and Frost prelude brought in a lot of tweaks and updates. I'm kind of glad for that, as quality of life additions were top on my list for hopes for Guild Wars 2 in 2013. I'm very pleased with ArenaNet for shoring up the content that's already out rather than leaving it be in the rush to get out new content.

So! Let's take a look at what ArenaNet brought us in the past week.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Flame and Frost

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Flame and Frost originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playdailydaily-achievementdungeondungeonsfantasyfeaturedflame-and-frostflame-and-frost-preludeflameseeker-chroniclesfractals-of-the-mistsguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2january-patchlaurellaurelsncsoftopinionpatchpatchesupdateupdatesTue, 05 Feb 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: The open world and you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/flameseeker-chronicles-the-open-world-and-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/flameseeker-chronicles-the-open-world-and-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/flameseeker-chronicles-the-open-world-and-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles The open world at 80
When we're discussing endgame and the long haul in Guild Wars 2, it can be really easy to talk about dungeons and instanced stuff and WvW and other things that can kind of cause you to forget the open world. The open world is cool! Just like there are people who haven't left sPvP and haven't left WvW, there are other people who are totally happy exploring every nook and cranny of the wide world. I dislike the idea of the world being neglected as soon as one turns 80, because I'm pretty darn sure that it's nearly impossible to really see all there is to see before 80.

This whole discussion comes with the caveat that we probably disagree about what endgame is. We'll talk about things that can be done in Guild Wars 2, which means they might be part of your endgame, if they are things you haven't done and things that you enjoy. Some of them will help you progress along some arbitrary track; others most likely will not. They can be done post-80, for sure, but by and large the open world is full of things that can be done just about any time, depending on your sense of style.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: The open world and you

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: The open world and you originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playendgamefantasyfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2ncsoftopen-worldopinionpveTue, 29 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Prepare to celebrate the Canthan New Year in Guild Wars]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/prepare-to-celebrate-the-canthan-new-year-in-guild-wars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/prepare-to-celebrate-the-canthan-new-year-in-guild-wars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/prepare-to-celebrate-the-canthan-new-year-in-guild-wars/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Celebration means putting a dragon mask on a lion statue, because party.
It's time to celebrate the new year! What, why are you rolling your eyes and saying that happened weeks ago? This is the Canthan New Year we're talking about in Guild Wars, a chance for Canthan citizens and less-fortunate Tyrian adventurers to take part in games and festivities while hoping to please the celestial animals for a fortunate new year. And this time around, there are more than a few surprises waiting in the wings even for veteran players.

This year's festival starts at 3:00 p.m. EST on January 31st and runs through February 7th, the start of a new policy for the game that will keep all events running for at least a week on fixed dates every year. Players will be able to aid in the preparation of the celestial animal feast, have their fortunes read, and play games on the Shing Jea Boardwalk. There will also be racing events in the Rollerbeetle Racing Arena and combat events in the Dragon Arena if you prefer. And there are special minipets to unlock as well as the promise of a mystery reward if the Celestial Animals are pleased with their meal. So even if you thought you were done with celebrating another year, you might want to pop back into Guild Wars and get back to the celebration.

MassivelyPrepare to celebrate the Canthan New Year in Guild Wars originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flameseeker Chronicles Glitching in Guild Wars 2
Last week was crazily newsy in the world of Guild Wars 2. One might even call it newsilicious. Between a look at the next handful of months, an announcement about guesting and paid world transfers, and a developer livestream about rewards, WvW, and other stuff, last week was just ridiculously full of information.

We'll be seeing the first bits of all that prophecy come into being on the 28th, when January's patch officially hits, bringing with it, among other things, guesting. The guesting announcement was fairly ill-received, due almost entirely to the news that it wouldn't work between North American and European servers. Up 'til now, you could always talk to folks from the other data center, but you couldn't actually play with them without transferring. Now you still can't play with them without transferring (and you can still talk to them), and people were really hoping we'd be able to do the whole guesting across regions thing. I'm hopeful that it will come in at some point, but I still can't see guesting as a net loss in any way.

There's a lot of digesting to do with all that news, though, so let's start things off by not talking about any of it.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Glitching in Guild Wars 2

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Glitching in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetascalonian-catacombsbuy-to-playcitadel-of-flamecoecofcrucible-of-eternitydungeonendgameexploitsfantasyfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesglitchingguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2ncsoftnightmare-treeopinionsubject-alphaTue, 22 Jan 2013 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the absolute worst MMO economy?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/the-daily-grind-whats-the-absolute-worst-mmo-economy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/the-daily-grind-whats-the-absolute-worst-mmo-economy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/the-daily-grind-whats-the-absolute-worst-mmo-economy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

What's the absolute worst MMO economy? (Pic: GW2)
I'm known around Massively as a total player economy junkie. Crafting is nice and all, but trading is really what gets me excited. Auction houses, hawking wares in global chat, buying and selling on player vendors -- however it's done in the MMO du jour, that's where I want to be, playing the market and PvPing via brains rather than bloodshed (shed tears are another story).

So when an MMO's economy goes belly up, I get annoyed. Really annoyed. Guild Wars 2's economy, for example, is not the shining light of the MMO industry I'd hoped it would be. It might be better than Guild Wars 1's since at least it has player crafting and an auction hall, but the supply and demand balance is an epic trainwreck, one that more resembles the tacked-on economies of games released in 2002, not 2012. I'm not sure it's the worst one ever, but it's certainly on the list.

So let's hear some others that deserve to be on the list: What's the absolute worst player-run economy an MMO's ever offered?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's the absolute worst MMO economy? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flameseeker Chronicles The game at the end of Guild Wars 2, revisited
I tend to dislike the term "endgame" because I suspect most people have scribbled out their own definition of the word and that anyone who dares to use it in reference to anything outside of that definition is summarily dismissed and excommunicated. I'm never quite sure what it is I'm being excommunicated from, mind you, but there's definitely a feeling of being suddenly, inexplicably, apart. Alien. Other.

Anyway, I hope we can agree that endgame is what happens at the, well, end of the game -- after the game has been, in some way, finished. We all know that this is ludicrous, right? As long as you're playing the game, the game is not ended, and expecting that it will change substantially enough to be classified in a new way is kind of silly. But people persist in using the term, and they persist in differing over when, precisely, the endgame starts. Does it start when you've hit the game's level cap, if there is one? How about when you've finished the game's storyline, if it has one?

You might've noticed that I'm kind of endgame agnostic. Regardless, let's go ahead and talk about Guild Wars 2's.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: The game at the end of Guild Wars 2, revisited

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: The game at the end of Guild Wars 2, revisited originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbuy-to-playcitadel-of-flamecofdungeondungeonsend-gameendgameendgame-agnosticismfantasyfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesfractals-of-the-mistsguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2isaiah-cartwrightncsoftopinionTue, 15 Jan 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: War stories in Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/08/flameseeker-chronicles-war-stories-in-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/08/flameseeker-chronicles-war-stories-in-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/08/flameseeker-chronicles-war-stories-in-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles War stories
I'm really big on the moments in games that turn into memories, whether that's in Guild Wars 2, your pen and paper variety of choice, or any other game. I mean, you probably remember a lot of your time in-game (unless you play a lot while really tired or otherwise impaired), but there's a difference between, say, recalling some of the quests you had to complete in order to fill a renown heart and recounting that seriously epic time that you and that other Guardian (whom you haven't seen since) totally took on that Champion Jungle Troll all on your own and stomped his face, man, even though you were both underleveled -- you just swapped to scepter/focus and kited him around while the other dude was whalin' on him with the great sword and it was just so cool. (We were really proud of ourselves, OK?)

Similarly, there's a difference between walking up to an NPC-defended tower and laying siege to a player-defended one. Sure, you'll probably remember both of them, but one is going to make the sort of experience that sticks with you.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: War stories in Guild Wars 2

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: War stories in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flameseeker Chronicles Hopes for the new year in Guild Wars 2
It's the dawn of a brave new year. Guild Wars 2 is still in its infancy, really -- ArenaNet's work in this year will do a lot to shape the future and lasting impact of the game. With apparently an expansion's worth of content coming out in January and February, this certainly promises to be an exciting year. I don't know whether the following things are predictions or hopes, but they can't be all that much more inaccurate than fondling sheep guts.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Hopes for the new year in Guild Wars 2

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Hopes for the new year in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetascalonian-catacombsbuy-to-playdungeondungeonsesportsexpansionsfantasyfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguestingguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2legendarylegendary-weaponncsoftnew-yearsopinionpatchespredictionsspvpupdatesTue, 01 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: When have you let your group down?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/30/the-daily-grind-when-have-you-let-your-group-down/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/30/the-daily-grind-when-have-you-let-your-group-down/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/30/the-daily-grind-when-have-you-let-your-group-down/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Daily Grind When have you let your group down
I'll let you in on a little secret: I live in mortal fear of letting my group down in MMOs, which is one of the reasons I don't often group up with others. I hate the feeling of stress that accompanies the first run through a dungeon or during a tricky boss fight, because I just know I'll be the one to slip up and end up wiping us all.

It's not just paranoia; it's happened. Last year, my Guild Wars guild was doing a lengthy Underworld run for a Hall of Monuments point and everyone wiped. Except for me. Great huh? Yeah, except that I didn't have a resurrection skill slotted, any resurrection items on me, and I couldn't go to the town to get some. So there was a lot of awkward silence on Vent and me mumbling apologies. Go me!

So what about you? When have you let your group down and just how much did that scar you for life?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: When have you let your group down? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 30 Dec 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetdaily-grindfantasygroupgroupingguild-warsgwncsoftopiniontdgthe-daily-grindunderworldwipewipingSun, 30 Dec 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: A visit from Toymaker Tixx]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/25/flameseeker-chronicles-a-visit-from-toymaker-tixx/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/25/flameseeker-chronicles-a-visit-from-toymaker-tixx/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/25/flameseeker-chronicles-a-visit-from-toymaker-tixx/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Flameseeker Chronicles A visit from Toymaker Tixx
'Twas late in the night, and throughout Rata Sum
not a creature was stirring -- no, not even one.
The garlands were laid out, the decorations prepared,
for, on the morrow, Wintersday would be there.

The progeny slumbered, snug in their beds,
while schematics of golems danced in their heads.
I'd bid goodnight to my krewe and turned off my station
and made myself ready for light hibernation

when from outside my lab there arose such a clatter
I sent my VAL-A to see what was the matter.
It rose at my bidding and trundled outside
and called out, "ALERT. DISTURBANCE UN-I-DEN-TI-FIED."

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: A visit from Toymaker Tixx

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: A visit from Toymaker Tixx originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetapprentice-toymakerarenanetbuy-to-playfantasyfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesfoostivooguideguild-warsguild-wars-2gwgw1gw2I-NEED-HATncsoftopiniontixxWAT-DO-FOR-HATTWHAT-DO-FOR-HATwintersdaywintersday-guidewondrous-workshopTue, 25 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST